Live Oak Trees for Sale

The Iconic Texas Shade Tree

No tree says "Texas" quite like the Live Oak (Quercus virginiana). With its massive spreading canopy, gnarled trunk, and nearly evergreen foliage, the Live Oak has defined the Texas landscape for centuries. From the historic trees lining Houston's River Oaks Boulevard to the sprawling specimens shading ranch houses across Fort Bend County, the Live Oak is the undisputed king of Southern shade trees. At Bill Bownds Nursery, we grow Live Oaks that are specifically acclimated to the Houston, Katy, and Richmond climate, ensuring strong root systems and healthy canopies from the start.

Live Oaks are classified as semi-evergreen in our area. They drop most of their old leaves in late February and early March, but new growth appears almost immediately, so the tree is never truly bare. This makes the Live Oak one of the most practical shade trees for year-round coverage in Houston-area landscapes.

Growth Timeline and Mature Size

Live Oaks are moderate to fast growers in the Houston area, especially when young. Here is a realistic growth timeline:

• Year 1-3: Establishment phase. Expect 2 to 3 feet of height growth per year with consistent watering. The root system is developing aggressively below ground.
• Year 3-7: The canopy begins to spread. Growth rate can reach 3 feet per year in optimal conditions. The trunk begins to develop character.
• Year 7-15: The tree reaches 25 to 35 feet tall. The crown spread begins to exceed the height, creating the classic Live Oak silhouette.
• Mature size: 40 to 50 feet tall with a crown spread of 60 to 80 feet. Live Oaks can live for hundreds of years and continue to grow slowly throughout their lifespan.

When planning your landscape, remember that a mature Live Oak needs space. Plant at least 30 feet from your home and 20 feet from driveways and utility lines. For tighter spaces, consider an Eagleston Holly or a Crape Myrtle instead.

Planting Guide for Texas Clay Soil

Live Oaks are remarkably well-adapted to Houston's heavy clay soils. They actually prefer clay over sandy soils because clay retains the moisture their extensive root systems need. Follow these guidelines for success:

Site Selection

• Full sun is essential. Live Oaks need a minimum of 8 hours of direct sunlight to develop a full, symmetrical canopy.
• Allow for the mature spread. A 60- to 80-foot canopy needs a large, open area free of overhead power lines.
• Live Oaks tolerate occasional flooding, making them suitable for low areas in your yard where other trees might struggle.

Planting Steps

• Dig the hole 3 times wider than the root ball but only as deep as the root ball height.
• Set the root ball so the root flare is visible at or slightly above the soil surface.
• Backfill with native soil. Do not add amendments in clay soil conditions.
• Stake the tree only if the site is extremely windy. Remove stakes after one year.
• Apply 4 inches of hardwood mulch in a ring around the tree, extending to the drip line if possible.
• Water deeply at planting and continue deep watering twice weekly for the first two years.

Care and Maintenance

Watering

Young Live Oaks need consistent moisture to establish their root systems. Water deeply twice per week during the first two growing seasons. After establishment, Live Oaks are remarkably drought-tolerant and rarely need supplemental irrigation in our climate. During extreme drought conditions, one deep soaking per month is sufficient.

Fertilizing

Live Oaks are not heavy feeders. An annual application of slow-release nitrogen fertilizer in early spring is all that is needed. Avoid high-phosphorus fertilizers, which can interfere with the tree's mycorrhizal relationships.

Pruning

Prune Live Oaks only in the hottest months of summer (June through August) to minimize the risk of oak wilt transmission. Remove dead, crossing, or rubbing branches. Avoid "topping" or heavy crown reduction, which damages the tree's natural form and invites disease. Check our blog for detailed pruning guides and seasonal care tips.

Oak Wilt Awareness

Oak wilt is a serious fungal disease that can affect Live Oaks in the Houston area. Prevention is key: always prune in summer, immediately paint fresh pruning wounds with wound sealant, and avoid transporting unseasoned firewood. If you notice veinal necrosis (brown streaking in leaves following the veins), contact a certified arborist immediately.

Container Sizes Available

Bill Bownds Nursery carries Live Oaks in a full range of container sizes:

• 15-gallon: 6 to 8 feet tall with 1- to 1.5-inch trunk caliper. An economical choice for long-term landscape investment.
• 30-gallon: 8 to 10 feet tall with 1.5- to 2-inch caliper. The most popular size for residential planting.
• 45-gallon: 10 to 12 feet tall with 2- to 2.5-inch caliper. Excellent presence from the day of planting.
• 65-gallon: 12 to 14 feet tall with 2.5- to 3-inch caliper. A substantial tree for larger properties and commercial landscapes.
• 95-gallon: 14 to 16 feet tall with 3- to 3.5-inch caliper. Our premium size for instant impact and shade.

We serve both retail customers and professional landscapers. Volume pricing is available for large development and HOA projects.

Delivery and Professional Installation

Large Live Oaks require professional handling. Bill Bownds Nursery offers full-service delivery and installation throughout Houston, Katy, Richmond, Sugar Land, Fulshear, Rosenberg, and surrounding communities. Our experienced crews use proper equipment to transport and plant trees of every size, and we guarantee correct planting depth and technique. Call us or visit our FM 1463 location in Katy to walk our Live Oak inventory.

Planning a mixed-species landscape? Pair Live Oaks with Southern Magnolias for evergreen layering, or add Red Oaks and White Oaks for spectacular fall color contrast.

Frequently Asked Questions About Live Oak Trees

How fast do Live Oak trees grow in Houston?

Live Oaks are moderate to fast growers in the Houston area, adding 2 to 3 feet of height per year when young and well-watered. A 30-gallon Live Oak planted today will be noticeably larger within a single growing season. Growth rate slows as the tree matures and redirects energy into canopy spread rather than height. In our Gulf Coast climate, Live Oaks benefit from the long growing season that stretches from March through November. Expect a 15-gallon tree to provide meaningful shade within 5 to 7 years, while a 65-gallon specimen will shade a patio area almost immediately. Mature Live Oaks reach 40 to 50 feet tall with a canopy spread of 60 to 80 feet.

What size Live Oak should I buy?

For homeowners planting one or two shade trees, we typically recommend 30- to 45-gallon Live Oaks. These sizes (7 to 10 feet tall) are well-established enough to handle transplant stress and will begin providing shade within a couple of years. If you want immediate shade for a patio, pool, or outdoor living area, our 65- and 95-gallon specimens are mature enough to make an instant difference. For large property borders or HOA common areas where you are planting a row of trees, 15-gallon Live Oaks offer the best value and will grow together into a canopy over time. Come walk our fields at Bill Bownds Nursery to see the size differences in person — it makes the decision much easier.

Do Live Oaks grow well in clay soil?

Live Oaks are perhaps the single best large shade tree for Houston-area clay soils. Their deep taproot and extensive lateral root system are naturally adapted to the heavy Beaumont clay found throughout Harris and Fort Bend counties. Live Oaks tolerate both the waterlogged conditions after heavy rains and the dry, cracked clay of late summer. This adaptability is one of the main reasons Live Oaks dominate Houston-area landscapes. When planting in clay, dig the hole 2 to 3 times wider than the root ball but only as deep — and set the top of the root ball slightly above grade. Do not add soil amendments. The native clay provides plenty of nutrients once roots establish.

How much do Live Oak trees cost?

Live Oak pricing depends on the container size and current availability. Live Oaks are our most popular species, and we maintain a large inventory across all sizes from 15-gallon to 95-gallon. Pricing is competitive with other Houston-area nurseries, and we offer volume discounts for orders of 10 or more trees. Because Live Oak prices can change with seasonal demand and inventory levels, please call us at (281) 277-2033 for the most accurate quote. We are happy to provide pricing over the phone or in person at our nursery on Cedar Lane in Katy.

Do you deliver Live Oak trees to Houston, Katy, and Richmond?

Yes, we deliver Live Oak trees to Houston, Katy, Richmond, Sugar Land, and all surrounding areas. Our trucks and equipment are specifically designed for transporting large container trees safely. We also offer professional installation where our experienced crew plants the tree at the correct depth, stakes it if necessary, and mulches the planting area. Many customers choose our delivery and installation package for the peace of mind that the tree will be handled properly from start to finish. See our retail services page for details on delivery areas and our one-year health guarantee.